One thing is for sure, every time I have to travel from one place to another I am always cursing myself for packing such a heavy bag. There are some things that I am happy that I have, other things I have used maybe once or twice so I definitely wouldn't pack them again. Generally, I packed erring on the side of "maybe i will need this" but when you are backpacking I think you should only pack things you are definitely going to use.
Some things were a nice idea, but I have not used them enough to warrant packing them.
1. Mosquito net
I was grateful for this at Surfing Turtle, because they provided me with a net but it had a lot of big holes in it so I didn't think it would work very well. However, I didn't use the mosquito net once otherwise.
2. Hiking boots
It was definitely good to have these for the couple of hikes I went on, but next time I will bring something more lightweight, like some off-road running shoes or something.
3. Sleeping bag
This one is tough. On the nights that I used this, I was happy to have it. However, I didn't use it enough for the amount of space it took up in my bag.
4. Extra toiletries, medicines, etc
It ended up being much easier than I thought to buy just about anything I needed in Central America. I didn't need to pack so much of everything.
5. 5 pairs of socks
I just didn't need so many socks. Otherwise, I did a pretty good job with clothes I think. Maybe I brought 1 t-shirt and 1 pair of pants too many, but generally I was ok, especially given the variation in climate from Guatemala to every subsequent country! I did end up buying a couple of things, and I repurposed a pair of leggings into shorts, but I don't think I would pack any more or less clothing next time.
6. Rain jacket
Ok, I have needed this since I got to Costa Rica, but I maybe used it once before that. My rain jacket is pretty light, but to save even more space and weight next time I would bring just one of those pocket ponchos. Sadly I lost mine in Monteverde.
Some things I was really happy about having:
1. Keen "amphibious" walking sandals
I bought these thinking that they were quite ugly, but that they would be super handy on my travels. Boy was I right. On both counts. I still think they are ugly, but I was so thankful to them when going through the cave in Semuc Champey. Going through the cave we were going to be in and out of water, and up and down rocks and ladders, so we all wore swimsuits, but most people only had flipflops. The solution was to tie a piece of string around their heel to keep the flipflop on their foot in water. This was not ideal. Meanwhile I had these nice walking shoes with decent tread that would get me in and out of the water and across the slippery rocks much better.
2. A skirt and a nice shirt
As a backpacker in Central America you get used to being dirty and sweaty, so it was really nice on occasion to get clean AND have some nice clothes to wear. It made me feel like a real person instead of a dirtbag packpacker.
3. Thermarest collapsible pillow
I didn't use this a ton for sleeping, except once in a while when the hostel pillow was quite ratty looking. I did use this on long-distance shuttle rides, and it made sleeping a lot more comfortable.
4. Eye mask and earplugs
Necessities when you are sleeping in a room with a bunch of strangers.
5. 2 towels/1 towel & sarong
Traveling to beaches, lakes, etc. it is really nice to have one towel for showering and another towel or sarong for the beach. This way one stays relatively clean. I started with a towel and sarong but I guess somebody really liked my ratty old sarong and decided to take it off the clothesline where it was drying. Then I bought a second towel, which has not been as ideal because it takes up more space in my bag.
6. Waterproof cover for my backpack
Sometimes your backpack gets put up on the roof of a shuttle bus, and then it rains. You will probably be happier if you have one of these.
7. Small portable speaker
This was really nice to have just for hanging out in hostels or on the beach.
8. Probiotic tablets
These came in very handy for dealing with the 'digestive roller coaster' as I called it, that is travel in Central America.
10. iPad
I was amazed at how ubiquitious wifi is here, even in the most remote places I have been able to keep in touch with friends and family at home. It has also been great to be able to research other places and make future travel plans. I wouldn't travel without some internet device. There are still Internet cafes, but from what I hear they are becoming extinct. And some remote jungle/beach hostels have wifi but no public computers so you would be out of luck there.
The only thing that I frequently regretted not packing was a yoga mat. I had a special towel to use when I wanted to do yoga, but a lot of the time I made up excuses like the ground was too dirty or too hard or too uneven. If I had a mat I would have no excuse not to practice my yoga. I was going to bring it but decided not to because it was going to be too bulky, but I think I should have made it a priority. I had so many goals and ideals for keeping up a yoga practice, but basically after I left guatemala I all but abandoned them.
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